Self-adhesive, conforming plastic pad label holders



SCP- 26, 1967 c. R. cHAMBL-:RLIN 3,343,289

SELF-ADHESIVE, CONFORMING PLASTIC PAD LABEL .HOLDERS Filed Deo. 9, 1963 I 50 Erg- 5.

feg/1.1111011454 NNMIIAIHAWIINAQ INVENTOR.

Co/eB/yan R. Chamber/f7 United States Patent Office SELF-ADHESIVE, CONFORMING PLASTIC PAD This invention relates to holders for preserving and displaying flat material such as labels, cards and the like such as disclosed in my United States Letters Patents 2,952,087 and 2,964,866.

A principal object of the present invention is to provide a tubular sheath adapted to receive a fiat strip such as a label and the like for displaying the label, with means for readily attaching the sheath to an irregular supporting surface.

Another object of the invention is to provide such a label protecting and displaying sheath with means for protecting the attaching means until ready for use.

A further object is to provide a mat-surfaced transparent label mounting and protecting sheath that is simple in construction and efficient in use.

Yet another object is to provide such a label displaying and protecting sheath which can be cheaply formed and attached to a supporting surface in a simple and expeditious manner.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawings, and to the appended claims in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawings forming a material part of this disclosure:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view -of a transparent sheath embodying the invention, a label strip being shown inserted therein.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional View taken on the line 2 2 of FIG. 1. v

FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view such as shown in FIG. 2 shown mounted on an irregular supporting surface.

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 2 of a transparent sheath embodying a modified form Iof the invention.

FIG. 5 is a bottom plan View of a transparent sheath embodying a further modified form of the invention, parts being shown broken away.

FIG. 6 is `a cross-sectional View taken on the line 6 6 of FIG. 5, on an enlarged scale.

FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 2 of another modified form of the invention.

Referring in detail to the drawings, in FIG. 1 a label display and protective holder made in accordance with one form of the invention is shown and designated generally by the reference numeral 10. The label holder 10 comprises an elongated flattened tube 12 of thin smooth material, such as transparent mat-surfaced cellulose acetate, Celluloid and the like and may be produced in various transparent colors.

A binder strip 14 of a length equal to the length of the sheath 10 and of a width substantially the width of the sheath is placed on one of the fiat -outer surfaces of the tube. The strip is preferably formed of soft deformable cushiony, shock-absorbing, elastic, flexible and soft padlike material composed of latex, cellulose, celluloid, thermofoamed plastic or resinous compoundsboth top and bottom surfaces of which, as viewed in FIG. 2, are coated with a pressure-sensitive adhesive as indicated at 16 and 18, respectively, which adhesive 18 serves to secure the binder strip to the surfaces with which it is brought into contact.

Patented Sept. 26, 1967 Another elongated flexible fabric or plastic strip 20 of the same length as strip 14 and ofthe same width therewith is provided for protecting the outer adhesive 18 of strip 14 and for preserving its permanent sticking quality. In assembling the holder, the protective strip 20v is placed on the outer surface of the strip 14.

By reason of this method of making the holder 10, when the protective strip 20 is peeled o of the strip 14 the cellular formation of the soft unit will be exposed, whereby when such surface is pressed against a supporting surface such as the top of a shelf 22 shown in FIG. 3, the elasticity or pliancy of the strip 14 permits the adhesive 16 to conform to uneven surfaces and tenaciously hold the holder on the supporting surface and around the bumps -or irregularities indicated at 24, in said supporting surface.

In use, a label strip such as the strip 26 shown in FIG. l is inserted through one of the open ends of the tube 12 with the indicia 28 thereon visible through the uncovered surface of the tube. The protective strip 20 is peeled off of the binder strip 14 whereupon the self adhesive coated surface of the soft strip-is exposed. The exposed surface of the adhesive coated strip 14 is pressed against the supporting surface and molecular attraction created between the strip and supporting surface to supplement the adhesive 18 that -binds said surfaces together. The inherent elasticity of the soft strip permits it to follow the contours of any irregularities in the supporting surface.

The modified form of label display and protective holder 10 shown in FIG. 4 differs from the holder 10 merely is that the elongated tubul-ar member 12 is slit and open at one side as indicated at 28 to facilitate insertion of -a label or the like.

Referring now-to the modified form of label display and protective holder 10 shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, in this form of the invention a pair of soft lbinder strips 14" is secured to the tube 12" with a passage or space 30 therebetween. The top and bottom surfaces of each strip 14" are coated with a pressure-sensitive adhesive as indicated -at 16" and 18", respectively.v The flexible protective strip 20" spans the pair of binder strips 14" and space 30.

In using this form of holder 10, when the protective strip 20" is peeled off, the soft strips 14" can be pressed upon a supporting surface whereupon the air is forced out of the space or passage 30 creating an attraction which coacts with the 'adhesive on the outer surface of the strips for securing the holder on the supporting surface.

In FIG. 7 still another modified form of label holder 10a is shown. This form differs from the holder 10 in that a pair of soft binder strips 14a, 14a is secured to the tube 12a. The strips are formed with overlapping extensions or reduced portions 32, and the opposing surfaces of the extensions 32 are formed with recesses 34 forming an elongated air pocket 36 extending the length of the strips and intersecting the ends thereof. This pocket permits the material of the extensions 32 at the ba-ses of the recesses 34 to collapse and ex whereby the strips 14a, 14a may readily conform to the irregularities of the supporting surface.

While the label holder has been illustrated as an elongated rectangular-shaped flattened tube, it will be understood that the holder may take other desirable shapes such las triangles, box-like or other shapes.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise constructions herein disclosed and that various changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent 1. A label holder for a label strip comprising an elongated flattened rectangular-shaped plastic tube open at both ends adapted to receive and hold a label strip, a pair of spaced adhesive binder strips on one of the outer surfaces of the tube, for a substantial portion of the area of said surfaces, said binder strips having pressure sensitive adhesive on both surfaces thereof, and a protective cover in strip form spanning the outer surfaces of said binder strips and the space therebetween, said protective cover being removable manually, said binder strips being composed of soft cellular material adapted to conform to irregularities in a supporting surface.

2. A label holder for a label strip comprising an elongated attened rectangular-shaped plastic tube open at both ends adapted to receive and hold a label strip, a pair of spaced adhesive binder strips on one of the outer surfaces of the tube for a substantial portion of the area of said surfaces, said -binder strips having pressure sensitive adhesive on both surfaces thereof, said binder strips having overlapping end extensions extending the length thereof, under the tube, said extensions having recesses in the Opposed surfaces thereof, aligned with the axis of the tube, said recesses constituting an elongated air pocket, the material of the extensions at the bases of the recesses `adapted to ex to permit the material to con- A form to irregularities in the supporting surface.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS EUGENE R. CAPOZIO, Primary Examiner.

W. J. CONTRERAS, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A LABEL HOLDER FOR A LABEL STRIP COMPRISNG AN ELONGATED FLATTENED RECTANGULAR-SHAPED PLASTIC TUBE OPEN AT BOTH ENDS ADAPTED TO RECEIVE AND HOLD A LABEL STRIP, A PAIR OF SPACED ADHESIVE BINDER STRIPS ON ONE OF THE OUTER SURFACES OF THE TUBE, FOR A SUBSTANTIAL PORTION OF THE AREA OF SAID SURFACES, SAID BINDER STRIPS HAVING PRESSURE SENSITIVE ADHESIVE ON BOTH SURFACES THEREOF, AND A PROTECTIVE COVER IN STRIP FORM SPANNING THE OUTER SURFACES OF SAID BINDER STRIPS AT THE SPACE THEREBETWEEN, SAID PROTECTIVE COVER BEING REMOVABLE MANUALLY, SAID BINDER STRIPS BEING COMPOSED OF SOFT CELLULAR MATERIAL ADAPTED TO CONFORM TO IRREGULARITIES IN A SUPPORTING SURFACE. 